Making Three’s Into History

March 9, 2006

With their first made three-pointer Friday, March 10 against Denver, the Toronto Raptors will tie the NBA record for most consecutive games with at least one three-point field goal. The current record of 594 is held by the Miami Heat. The Raptors can set a new NBA record Sunday, March 12 when they face Indiana at Air Canada Centre. The Pacers were the last team to hold the Raptors scoreless from beyond the arc (February 24, 1999, 0-for-6).

MoPete is the Raptors all-time three point leader. (NBAE/Getty Images)size>

During the streak, spanning seven seasons and counting, the Raptors have registered a total of 3,372 three-pointers on 9,301 attempts. Vince Carter netted the first triple (7:43, 1st) against Minnesota on February 26, 1999, at Air Canada Centre. Since moving to Air Canada Centre, the Raptors have hit at least one three-point field goal in every game. In the inaugural game (February 21, 1999) against the Vancouver Grizzlies, the Raptors went 6-for-14 from beyond the arc. The streak began five days later.

There have been 21 times during the streak in which the Raptors netted only one triple, including three games this season (November 7 versus Cleveland (1-for-8); November 26 at Golden State (1-for-13); November. 30 versus Memphis (1-for-13). On November 7 versus Cleveland, Morris Peterson kept the Raptors streak alive hitting the lone three-point shot with 1:11 left in the fourth quarter. Toronto has held their opponents scoreless from behind the arc eight times throughout the run, most recently shutting down the Washington Wizards (0-for-3) on February 25, 2004.

A total of 40 players have contributed to the streak, led by Morris Peterson’s franchise-leading 644 three-pointers. While with the Raptors, Vince Carter netted 554 triples and Donyell Marshall registered 271. Marshall tied the NBA record for three-point field goals made in a game on March 13, 2005 hitting 12 three-pointers against Philadelphia, a contest that also set an NBA best for three-point field goals made by both teams in a game with 31. The Raptors hit 21 three-pointers with the Sixers adding 10 from beyond the arc.

Toronto’s ‘triple threat’ of Peterson, fifth-year guard Mike James and second-year forward Matt Bonner continues to drive the Raptors’ streak. Peterson currently ranks ninth in the NBA with 126 three-pointers made, 10th in the league with 315 attempts and 22nd in percentage at .400. James is ranked eighth in the NBA in three-point shooting percentage with a .424 mark recording 106-of-250 triples in his first season as a Raptor. James tied the franchise record for most three-point shots made and none missed (five-for-five) December 16 versus Golden State. Bonner registered five-of-six shots from beyond the arc March 5 versus Boston and is shooting .415 (73-for-176), ranking 12th in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage.

Here is a look at some triple facts during the streak:

NBA three-point field goal records set during the streak:

Most three-point field goals in a game: 21 - Toronto vs. Philadelphia, March 13, 2005

Most three-point field goals by both teams in a game: 31 - Toronto vs. Philadelphia, March 13, 2005

Most three-point field goals in one half: 12 - Toronto vs. Philadelphia, March 13, 2005 (Tied with 7 teams)